How about a Sig CPO?
Get a legendary gun at a bargain price - I've seen P239s and P226s going for as little as $239.

MCgunner

September 17, 2008, 10:23 AM

Ruger
Kel Tec
Springfield XD
CZ
Makarov
Bersa

I own the top two, been lookin' at the CZs. Would like to get a Mak next. No experience with the Bersa, but they have a good net rep. The P90 just MIGHT be the best .45 DA auto at ANY price, though I know lots are going to scoff. Me, I wouldn't trade mine for an HK, not on yo mama's life! The thing is just the most accurate semi auto I've ever seen or fired. And, I love how the gun fits me with the Hogue grip. The DA/SA trigger is nice. I've won some shoots with this gun and enough money to pay for it about 3 times.

weisse52

September 17, 2008, 01:51 PM

Ruger or CZ.

19-3Ben

September 17, 2008, 02:23 PM

I was thinking CZ, but honestly, I don't consider CZ to be a budget gun maker. Their pistols are already in the $450+ range. The reason I voted for Ruger is because you can get any other their semi-autos (with the exception of the SR9) for $425 or less. Some of them as little as the mid to low $300 range brand new. Can't do that with CZ.

CZ's are fantastic, and a great value. They can deliver the quality of an $800-900 gun, in a $475 package, but I think they've lost their status as being "budget."

gregj

September 17, 2008, 02:39 PM

Hi-Point gets my vote. Their price should fit into most people's budget, and their warranty and customer service is one of the best out there.

But it also depends on what you are planning on doing with it, that should facter into your decision. Money alone shouldnt be the only determining factor.

woad_yurt

September 17, 2008, 02:59 PM

I vote Hi-Point. They're ugly, blocky, weird & clunky yet every one I've ever shot (3 so far) did exactly what it was supposed to do. I'll be honest, I am glad I can afford something nicer but, if I had to own one, I'd be perfectly confident with it.

CWL

September 17, 2008, 03:03 PM

Ruger because they have always had decent pricing and they offer a large range of calibers and designs.

Other guns such as CZ, Kel-Tec or even Makarov, may offer good guns, but pretty-much recycle the same design over multiple calibers.

Colorado

September 17, 2008, 03:06 PM

1+ for Stoger. I have a Cougar 9mm and love it. Shoots great, feels solid.

From what Ive read they seem to be less expensive than most and are good guns too.

jocko

September 17, 2008, 07:04 PM

Ruger for such a vast array of handguns and long guns, all affordable and most all darn good quality and oh yes American made..

crushbup

September 17, 2008, 07:09 PM

Bersa, and any company that made Makarovs

atblis

September 18, 2008, 12:25 AM

RIA is selling a Tanfoglio for pretty cheap. That's about the most decent cheap handgun I can think of.

wditto

September 18, 2008, 12:52 AM

....." How about a Sig CPO?
Get a legendary gun at a bargain price - I've seen P239s and P226s going for as little as $239.." .......
.
.
WHERE ???

Don357

September 18, 2008, 01:02 AM

+1 on the Rugers, Tanfoglios and Kel-Tecs.Bersa is OK, and don't forget Firestorm!

Grayrider

September 18, 2008, 11:53 AM

The above suggestions are of course good ones, but the first words that came to mind when I saw your post were "police trade-in". If you look around there are many companies carrying various police trade-in pistols that are priced way below the original cost of said guns. You can get a Sig, Glock, Smith and Wesson, etc. for a bargain. My third gen. G22 for example was around $350 as I recall with three factory 15 rounders and night sights. I have owned several such guns through the years and typically found they had seen few rounds. Mostly police pistols are carried and not fired. So if you do not mind some holster wear and perhaps some PD markings, you can get a quality pistol at a good price.

John

kitsapcharly

September 19, 2008, 03:40 AM

Kel-Tec and Bersa/Firestorm(both made by Bersa) give you a lot for the money. Both have really good customer service.
For more money the XD designs from Springfield Armory are about as good as good gets. They have very good customer service.
EAA Witness(Tanfoglio) is very nice and like the XD has a good grip angle and hits where it's pointed. I've just gotten a 22/45 convertible from them and it's very good both ways. Unfortunately customer service has a very bad reputation. Not speaking from experience, just web talk on that.
Speaking from experience in owning, shooting and carrying the little 380 Kel-Tec should be in everybody's pocket...just do it. The 9MM Kel-tec P-11 is a goodpiece that now holds 13 shots with the new mag design and will carry okay in some pockets but not in others.
The XD-45c is a truly terrific gun and the other calibers and versions should be too. One of the strongest and most reliable guns in existence.
The Witness is very nice. Tanfoglio's version of the Czech CZ pistol. Much used in Europe. I'm new to it but like it greatly.
Kel-Tec has two good web sites. KT Range and KTOG. Both loaded with info and people who know what they're talking about.
XD Forum is highly recommended. Very active.
CZ Forum has a section for CZ "Clones" which is mostly Witness/Tanfoglio.
Bersa Talk is about Bersa and Firestorm is very good.
Read, study and consider then try to rent guns at shooting ranges if you can. The gun has to fit YOU not me or somebody else. If it's for SD and carry it even hasto almost be part of you and everybody has a different size, build and hand shape.
I get wordy sometimes but these are gunsI've liked. Some others weren't but these are designs worth sharing.

onebigelf

September 19, 2008, 08:40 AM

Charles Daly. LOVE my Hi-power. I hear good things about their 1911's, and now they've got a lifetime we-pay-shipping-both-ways warranty on their guns.

John

Handyguy

September 19, 2008, 09:58 AM

I second Grayrider's idea. Why not buy a used, higher quality gun for less money than a brand new lesser quality gun? After you shoot the new one it becomes a "used" piece that is worth even less.

ZeSpectre

September 19, 2008, 10:01 AM

Kel-Tec
Hi-Point
Bersa

Then for a bit more

Charles Daly
CZ
RIA

Bo Heck

September 20, 2008, 01:30 AM

Steyr MA1 series from CDNN, better than a glock for 339 bucks...

bfox

September 20, 2008, 02:10 AM

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html

Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow

September 20, 2008, 02:21 AM

Bersa
Stoeger
Tanfoglio/Witness
Taurus
Steyr
Arcus
FEG
Daewoo
Kel-Tec

Ben86

September 20, 2008, 03:07 AM

I'd say Ruger first and foremost. Then Taurus, Kel-Tec and Bersa. Sigmas aren't bad if you either like a heavy trigger or get it made lighter.

PT1911

February 28, 2009, 11:29 AM

it is upsetting that steyr only got one mention in this conversation. It is a superior gun to glock in most every way, and clocks in at a much lower price. but then again, if you are looking for a cheap gun, hi-point, jennings, bryco....etc... not that I would be caught dead with one... then again, I probably would.... thats why I wont be getting one.

hometheaterman

February 28, 2009, 01:52 PM

My vote is Ruger because they always seem to have a quality product at a pretty decent prices. Not always the cheapest as sure they are more than a hi point or something like that but they are great guns and still cheaper than many.

Firstshot

February 28, 2009, 02:57 PM

I've been very pleased with my two Bersas.

broken

February 28, 2009, 05:27 PM

3rd generation smith or sigma.

FMJMIKE

March 1, 2009, 08:56 PM

Ruger......Bersa......RIA.............:cool:

feudalson

March 1, 2009, 09:10 PM

s&w sigma 3rd gen...... excellent gun

22lr

March 1, 2009, 09:21 PM

S&W 3rd gens, ya they don't make them anymore but I bought mine for about half a Glock and I out shoot guys with tricked out Glocks (o man thats fun). For a pistol that was built like a tank, I have had 99.6% reliability with mine, better than I dare say 99% of guns out there. At least check one out, they are heavy so take that into consideration but good ones can be had for $400 or lower.

Also the S&W Sigma are good budget guns, I had one loved it but sold it to buy the 5906 and never looked back. Sigma ran well for me but I just kind grew out of the whole plastic gun thing a while back and have since been adding more steel and wood:D.

vector248

March 1, 2009, 09:32 PM

i would take a serious look at Bersa. I have been impressed with their quality.

bensdad

March 1, 2009, 09:40 PM

I'm gonna go with Taurus. I got a MilProPT745 before I knew anything about them. It just felt good in my hand, and I knew it would conceal well. I've since heard many people poo-poo them. Well, mine has been great. That's the only one I cared about. It's been so great that I now have a MilProPT140 and a MilProPT111. While some folks keep telling me how bad they suck, I'll keep tipping over the poppers and NOT stopping to clear jams in the middle of strings. At the last steel shoot of the season, the two guns that jammed up REALLY bad - ruined a couple of peoples' stings - were a Glock and a Sig.

I'll confess, the 745 had a couple of jams - but they were on my very first reloads when I was just learning. I can't blame the gun. No problems since, with any of them (less than 400 rds. through the 111, however).

PT1911

March 1, 2009, 11:19 PM

Taurus is a great choice.. I have several of them and will get several others.. I have been more than pleased with all of them as have everyone that I know of who owns one...

Lonestar.45

March 2, 2009, 12:53 AM

I'd say Ruger, with maybe Rock Island for 1911's.

Personally I think a used police trade in Glock is by far the best value in the semi market. That, and the used S&W 5906's that can be had for under $300 many times.

Bill_Rights

March 2, 2009, 08:50 AM

I'm with DZL HOG: The FNP line up typically runs $100-300 less than the big-name competitors and you sacrifice NOTHING in performance and reliabilty.

BikerRN

March 2, 2009, 09:07 AM

Who do you consider to be the best budget semi gun maker?

I am thinking Ruger will dominate with some Bersa mentions

I am defining "budget" as under the costs of Glocks,Springfield XD ect. at least 70 to 100 bucks under those not just a few bucks lol

Thanks

Sorry, but I define a "budget" gun as a Glock. :)

BikerRN

benderx4

March 2, 2009, 09:26 AM

Glock
Ruger
Taurus

CZ (for just a tad more)
SW

SDDL-UP

March 2, 2009, 10:10 AM

If anyone has looked at the price of CZ's lately they are NOT a "budget" gun maker anymore!

HoosierQ

March 2, 2009, 10:30 AM

Buddy of mine has a brand new S&W Sigma 9mm. Got it for about $350 brand new. Loves it, shoots it like twice a week (he's not married yet!), has never had one failure (except when his girlfriend limp-wristed one on her very first time at the firing line), cleans it like his life depended on it and is just about the happiest new gun owner I have ever seen. He's kind of new to handguns and he is just learning the trigger from the get-go.

He loves it so much, I want one even though I don't need that already having a Glock and a 2 M&Ps.

Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow

March 2, 2009, 10:37 AM

Well Ruger and Taurus really come in under the "semi-budget" label, depending on how you look at it, with their price points.

The best true low budget maker of new auto-pistol is without a doubt Bersa, followed closely by Kel-Tec & Stoeger. But if Taurus were includable in the price range, then the answer would definitely be Taurus. But that's an unfair comparison, as the Tauri cost more.

Rugers are the worst value on the face of the planet. What you get is a good pistol. What you give up to get that is some money and a company who will use YOUR money to work tirelessly to strip you of your gun rights. That's a bad tradeoff in my book (poor value).

sohcgt2

March 2, 2009, 11:10 AM

Glock or Ruger are my concideration for best value. I have no experience with Taurus. I did have a S&W Sigma for a while and really liked it.

PT1911

March 2, 2009, 12:31 PM

I am not sure what world you live in if you think a glock is a "budget" gun.. 5 to 6 hundred dollars for an uncomfortable and outdated gun doesnt fit my definition of budget.

BikerRN

March 3, 2009, 12:20 AM

I am not sure what world you live in if you think a glock is a "budget" gun.. 5 to 6 hundred dollars for an uncomfortable and outdated gun doesnt fit my definition of budget.

In my world the Glock is a "Budget" Gun.

That's my world, but maybe not your's. I like 1911's, High Powers and even own one Block. Of course the Block is always up for trade.

BikerRN

ZO6Vettever

March 3, 2009, 12:20 PM

S&W Sigma, under $350, rugged, reliable, hi cap and "Made in the USA".

Funderb

March 3, 2009, 12:22 PM

bersa, really, I think has a great value for the price.

Deer Hunter

March 3, 2009, 12:25 PM

Bersa.

makarovnik

March 3, 2009, 08:52 PM

Kel-Tec

paradox998

March 4, 2009, 12:12 AM

All in all, Bersa is the best lower end value and CZ is the best midrange value. I have both, can't beat either for the money.

Nomad_NH

March 4, 2009, 12:42 AM

i am by no means a gun expert but Taurus pistols have been good for me and they are well priced.

johnnylaw53

March 4, 2009, 08:15 AM

If you going to use it to defend yourself and your love one there is no such thing as a "budget gun". Nor do you need to spend reallly big money for a trick out pistol. Get what you like keep it for 10 years that way even a $600.00 weapon work out to $5.00 a month surely you and yours are worth that.

be safe

ironvic

March 5, 2009, 02:11 AM

Quote: "The above suggestions are of course good ones, but the first words that came to mind when I saw your post were "police trade-in". If you look around there are many companies carrying various police trade-in pistols that are priced way below the original cost of said guns. You can get a Sig, Glock, Smith and Wesson, etc. for a bargain. My third gen. G22 for example was around $350 as I recall with three factory 15 rounders and night sights. I have owned several such guns through the years and typically found they had seen few rounds. Mostly police pistols are carried and not fired. So if you do not mind some holster wear and perhaps some PD markings, you can get a quality pistol at a good price.

John" (Grayrider)

I totally agree. I have bought police trade-ins at my local gun shop and haven't disliked any of them. I purchased a Sig-P220 .45, Sig P-226 9mm and a Remington 12 gauge 870 police Wingmaster with 18 1/2" barrel and the police walnut furniture. Each weapon was an ex-duty gun that had been lightly used and all had been routinely maintained by department armorers. My 870 looked like something off the set of "Adam-12" and save for the worn bluing on the trigger guard from the patrol car latch, was pristine inside. My gunsmith said it looked brand-new. The pistols shot accurately and never failed. I sold the P-220 to buy a Colt 1911, but still have the P-226 and the 870.

There is a certain amount of holster wear on the pistols, but not objectionable, just honest working-man's guns. The 870 has electric lettering engraved on the receiver showing she belonged to "SPD" with a department serial number.

If you need to buy at bargain pricing, why not get the best? Guns both the public and their defenders relied on to be the best money can buy? Because these weapons served to defend, they have a special place in my rack.

Fishman777

March 5, 2009, 07:45 PM

Ruger or CZ.

nwilliams

March 5, 2009, 08:51 PM

Another vote for Bersa!

I love my little 383a....

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/nwilliams27/Bersa383A-1.jpg

Mike J

March 5, 2009, 09:20 PM

I haven't really owned any of the others but I really like my Ruger

PT1911

March 5, 2009, 09:31 PM

for everyone suggesting glocks and such, the question was budget handgun maker.... that does not mean purchased by a PD, shot, used, then sold at auction, then picked up at a pawn shop somewhere:rolleyes:... best budget handgun MAKER.. as in NEW.... Bersa, kel tec, taurus, sigma fit the bill... GLOCK difinitely does not, and though they are good guns, neither does Springfield, CZ, or Smith and wesson.. ruger has a few exceptions....

gator1gear

March 5, 2009, 09:40 PM

Gotta be Bersa for me! I have a Thunder 45 UC that runs flawlessly! I have put tons of rounds downrange without a SINGLE failure. Gobbles up everything I feed it. I bought the girlfriend a Mini firestorm .40 UC that seems to be the same way. She as sent a little over a thousand rounds down the pipe, no hiccups or bobbles whatsoever. Gotta be the most underrated guns out there.

skeeter_08

March 11, 2009, 02:21 PM

I just saw a Smith & Wesson 910 in matte finish offered for $385.00 online, personally I can't think of a better semi automatic for the money!